Optic illusions (mauzauza)
Optic illusions (mauzauza)
- Thread starter Mshana Jr
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Mshana Jr
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- Aug 19, 2012
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This floor is entirely flat. The remarkable 17th-century optical illusion of Florence Cathedral's marble tiles. When seen from above, the intricate geometry creates the illusion of a giant abyss that people might stumble into. The red, white, black and green marble floor was a colossal task that took 160 years to complete. It was carried out by the grand-ducal workshops of Florence, guided by Renaissance sculptor Baccio d'Agnolo, and was completed in 1660. The primary aim of the builders was to surpass the splendour of Roman imperial floors, above all those of the Pantheon. The result forms a giant unity of mesmerizing geometric carpets, aligned within the cathedral's naves. The crest of the Medici family, the banking family which left an indelible mark across Florence and played a major role in the completion of the cathedral, can be seen on various sections of the floor.
